These tasty black bean burgers are loaded with plant protein. I make them with simple pantry ingredients, including black beans, brown rice, oats and walnuts, then add an extra dash of spice with chipotle chili peppers. They are smoky and delicious and they hold their shape beautifully on the grill.
Serve them on burger buns with your favorite toppings or add them to wraps or salads.
Table of Contents
Vegan black bean burger recipe
This vegan black bean burger is one of my favorite veggie burger recipes: it is hearty, satisfying, nourishing, and it works perfectly with nearly any topping. Best of all, everyone I've ever served it to has always come back for more, with rave reviews.
I love that they are extra healthy with not just the black beans but also the oats, brown rice, carrots and walnuts. Each of these ingredients also adds wonderful texture to the burger so it is not at all mushy, as veggie burgers can sometimes be. This homemade black bean burger is impressively sturdy on the grill.
The recipe is so simple and foolproof. It comes together in the food processor but be sure to toss in the ingredients in the order I list. If your food processor cannot hold all of the ingredients at one time process some of the ingredients first, then the rest. Mix everything together in a bowl.
You need just pantry ingredients, and the burger patties are ready in minutes. These are also great for meal prep. You can make a big batch and refrigerate or freeze them for later (more in FAQs below).
Here's the recipe.
This was delicious! Like Bomb delicious! Totally loved it and so did the other half. Saving to my favorites. Once again, I must thank you for feeding my family. Thank you!!
-Melissa
Recipe card
Spicy Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Ingredients
- 30 oz canned or cooked black beans (drained)
- 1 cup rolled or instant oats
- ½ cup cooked brown rice
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ cup walnuts
- 1 cup carrots (grated)
- 1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce (use more or less depending on your tolerance for heat)
- ¼ cup cilantro (minced)
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil or any neutral oil (for cooking burgers, or use cooking spray)
Instructions
- Put the walnuts and oats in the processor and pulse until the nuts are broken down into small pieces but not powdery.
- Add the carrots, cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, sesame seeds if using, and salt. Pulse to mix, then add the drained black beans, rice and ketchup. Process until the beans are broken into small bits and the mixture holds together when you form a ball with your fingers or fist.
- Form three-inch discs with the mixture. Cover a cast iron or nonstick skillet with oil and cook the burgers until brown and black spots appear on each side.
- Assemble the burgers with vegan mayo mixed with a spicy sauce like chili garlic sauce or sriracha, greens like spinach or lettuce, tomatoes, onions and avocados.
Nutrition Information
To print recipe card without images, uncheck "instruction images" after clicking the "print recipe" button.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, refrigerate them up to four days or freeze for up to four months. Separate each burger patty with wax paper or parchment paper and store in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. Grill the burgers right after taking them out of the freezer.
Yes, pinto beans or kidney beans would be great in this recipe. You can also try my vegan bean and oats burgers, which are made with both pinto beans and kidney beans.
I love to serve these burgers with my sourdough burger buns or whole wheat burger buns with a daub of vegan mayo, a spritz of spicy sriracha sauce, and piled high with arugula or spring greens. You can also top them with sauerkraut or cole slaw.
First published July 13, 2010. Updated May 23, 2026.
Misha says
I can't wait to make these. I'm in the UK and will cook my own black beans. What would you suggest as the uncooked weight of beans for this recipe. I'll be using my InstantPot.
By the way, I'm so totally with you regarding the misspelling of Turmeric! 🙂
Vaishali says
Hi Misha, it should be around 330 grams or 1 1/2 cups dried beans.
Lori says
Hi, In your directions it says add garlic powder but I don't see that listed in the ingredients. How much do you add?
Lori
Vaishali says
Added--1 tsp!
Bena Desai says
Hello Vishali,
I am a resident of suburban Washington D.C and enjoy your recipes.Today I tried your black bean brown rice burgers and they turned out delicious.Everyone enjoyed them.Thank you.Bena Desai.
Vaishali Honawar says
So happy you loved them, Bena!
Maggie says
This was delicious. The mixing order is useful, so the consistency is very good. I used 3 chipotle in adobe which were delicious. Not too spicy at all. I didn't use cilantro, which might have made it better for those who like it. I added some corn kernels.
I'm looking for the perfect burger where I can roll my up eyes up and say "scrumptious!" Maybe it's this one with some yet to be determined modifications, or maybe it's out there somewhere.
Melissa Mertens says
This was delicious! Like Bomb delicious! Totally loved it and so did the other half. Saving to my favorites. Once again, I must thank you for feeding my family. Thank you!!
Vaishali says
So happy you liked it!
Krithika says
I made your channa masala burgers and rajma tandoori burgers recently and they were a huge hit! Grilled up beautifully and were so flavorful. Would like to try this next, but I don't have brown rice on hand. Could I use quinoa instead?
Vaishali says
Quinoa should be fine. If you have trouble making them hold together, add some chickpea flour.
Tita Mahoney says
I belong to a few other Vegan websites and enjoyed looking at and finding yours. I had a hankering for some fat free ethiopian dishes so made a cabbage, potato dish and lentil dish to eat with enjera bread.
Andrea says
Hello There,
I just found your recipes and am excited to try some of the fat free ones as I am currently on a no fat diet for a gallbladder flare up. I did want to ask if there is any substitute you would recommend for the walnuts as walnuts are not fat free and so I can't incorporate them in my diet. Thank you!
Andrea
Vaishali says
I started to suggest flax meal, then realized you don't want any fat at all. In that case, just leave out the walnuts.
Usha says
Good to hear that Lucy's doing much better !
The burgers look fabulous, would love to give this one a try....
HayMarket8 says
Those burgers look awesome! I just found your blog but I am on it now! New follower! 🙂
melekler korusun final says
very nice recipe, thank you
Anonymous says
Dear Vaishali
This recipe is great. I skipped all the seasoning and also besan, brown rice since I didn't have any. I replaced it with whole wheat flour. It made so many burgers and I still have the batter in the fridge. At least I don't have to worry about tomorrow's lunch and dinner 🙂
jodye says
these burgers look and sound delicious! I'm already contemplating these for dinner tomorrow!
Veggie Belly says
Very nice! Black beans are so perfect for burgers. I bet these were yummy and also filling. Do you think they can be grilled on a grill?
Daisy says
Hi Vaishali,
I made these for my lunch yesterday. There were so good! When I read this post I thought this was a nice recipe to try, you just "throw everything in to the food processor" and it's done, sort of :). I didn't have black beans, so I used red beans and I was so surprised by their color after being cooked - they looked like real meat, actually my dad thought they were real meat and started to joke about it! I added a few drops of soy sauce, to balance the seasoning.
Glenda says
Those Fat-free Spicy Black Bean Burgers are right up my alley!! Thanks for the seasoning ideas to spice mine up. Great photo!
Moondancer says
Oh I love bean burgers; black bean burgers are a favorite in our household. This weekend we'll be grilling outside, and I already told my daughter I would be making her favorite Black Bean burgers.
Sanjeeta kk says
Looks healthy and tempting to give a try.
Latha says
Burger looks very yummy.
Mints! says
Burger recipe is a keeper. Wondering if we can BBQ it? Must try once.
Ali | Soulful Body & Mind says
This looks delicious. My family has never had black bean burgers since we've converted to veganism. This looks like something we will try. Thanks for posting.
Ali | Soulful Body & Mind says
This looks delicious. My family has never had black bean burgers since we've converted to veganism. This looks like something we will try. Thanks for posting.
RV says
Burgers can't be healthier than this with these many good ingredients. I am bookmarking this recipe.
Richa says
i keep forgetting to try these burgers.. these will be great for my burger craving hubby... on some nice freshly baked bread!
Skay says
So glad to hear about Lucy! I was wondering about her. And also happy to hear that Freddie is doing well.
This recipe is a keeper, Vaish! I have GOT to try this.
Cooking Blog Indexer says
Wow..that's a very healthy burger...
Priya says
Thats great to know Lucy is doing well now...Black bean burgers looks utterly delicious..
Divya Vikram says
Great to hear Lucy is doing good! I have seen these burgers in many blogs. Need to get some black beans during my next grocery shopping.
Manasi says
BIG hugs to Lucy and Freddie! muuaah!
The bean burgers are FAB! I have tasted the morning star frozen ones and felt their inadequacy in the taste dept. These, on the other hand... I MUST try! 🙂
Rikki Cupcake says
these look over the top tasty!
Jessica @ Lima's Vegan Kitchen says
So great, about your dog. It warms my heart to hear it. These burgers look great too!